THE COTTONWOOD LEAF-BEETLE. 



Lina scripta Fab. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The industry of growing basket- willows in central New York 

 has been seriously handicapped by an insect known among wil- 

 low growers as the "willow beetle," but among writers on 

 economic entomology as the Cottonwood leaf-beetle. It is a 

 species which, previous to 1894, attracted but little attention in 

 the east, although it has long been known as a serious pest to 

 Cottonwood in the middle and western states. Since the winter 

 of 1893-94 this insect has been very abundant in this State, 

 especially in Onondaga County, doing great damage in the willow 

 fields about Syracuse and Liverpool. 



The investigations and experiments reported in this Bulletin 

 were undertaken at the urgent request of some of the leading 

 willow-growers of the State, The life-history and habits of the 

 insect were studied only during the several visits made to the infested 

 fields as no suitable place for breeding the beetles at or near the 

 Station was available. The experiments cover a period of two 

 years and were undertaken with a view to determining, if possible, 

 a satisfactory method of protecting the willows from serious injury 

 by this insect. 



GENERAL NOTES UPON THE BEETLE. 



CLASSIFICATION AND NAME. 



This species is classified with the large and economically import- 

 ant group of beetles scientifically known as the Chrysomelidts . 



